Stem Cells, Cloning, and the Conscience of a Nation

Dr. William Hurlbut, physician and Consulting Professor, Stanford University Neuroscience Institute, explores the ethical issues associated with advancing biomedical technology, the biological basis of moral awareness, and the integration of theology and philosophy of biology.

His courses in biomedical ethics in the Program in Human Biology have included: Biology, Technology and Human Life, and Ethical Issues in the Neurosciences. He has worked with NASA on projects in astrobiology, and since 1998 has been a member of the Chemical and Biological Warfare working group at the Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation.

Dr. Hurlbut has come to national prominence for his advocacy of Altered Nuclear Transfer (ANT), a scientific method of obtaining pluripotent stem cells without the creation and destruction of human embryos. He has spoken all over the world on the intrinsic dignity of human life, including the moral value of the human embryo. In mid-2007, he was the guest of the BBC World Service Radio programme, The Interview. In 2009, commentary from Dr. Hurlbut was featured in the futurist documentary "Transcendent Man." In 2010, he was featured in the award winning film, "The Human Experience."

We are fortunate to present this program in part through the generosity of the Project on Conscience in Roman Catholic Thought, funded in part by Phyllis and Mike Shea.